So for any business especially small companies just starting out using social media and knowing where to begin and what to use can be a minefield and a source of real stress.

However, don’t be scared. Here is what I have learned in 5 simple tips which I feel if you employ will give you a good basis to get started with this very exciting communication medium.

1 Target The Correct Platform And Medium

Focus on your customers, target audience and on the products/services you offer. By doing this, it will help you decide the social media platforms that are best for you and it will also focus you to really consider where your customers hang out in a digital sense.

For example, if your product is more B2C such as clothing, I would advise you should consider Facebook and possibly Pinterest, whereas a more business to business service such as equipment hire, ISO Consultancy etc should consider Linkedin and Twitter.

Another reason to also be focused on the media you choose is time. It is better to be actively posting and engaging on one, possibly two channels and getting great engagement and brand success as opposed to been active on every medium and not been seen or heard and creating no impact or content at all.

To help you create a digital strategy download my free ebook giving you step by step guidance in creating a plan.

2 Test And Iterate, Test And Iterate

The great thing about social media is that you can track, analyse and measure how effective and successful your communication and activity is.

Constantly review key performance metrics for your channels via tools such as Google Analytics for data related to your website or Twitters analytics to track metrics on your tweets, and if you find one is not performing don’t just leave it and hope for the best.

Tweak the message, the style, content and If after changing the posting content, time of delivery etc you still find that the platform is not performing make the call that perhaps it is not the medium to use and focus on those that are working and how you can improve them.

3 Be Detailed About Your Profile

When you look to create for example a Google + page for your business you have to go through an activation process. Registration is detailed and you have to complete your address, what the business does, phone numbers and even move a location pin marker to the exact location on the map displayed before you can move to the next step.

Each channel has their own profile sign up some more detailed than others but the point here is not to be afraid of setting up any profile on social media.

Instead, recognise that for every digital channel account you create you must ensure you fill out all the details promoting yourself and get your images up there to ensure a real cohesive looking brand can be found when people search for you.

4 It’s Called Social Media Be Social.

A lot of companies make this mistake.They use all their social media channels as purely another sales tool to constantly talk about how great they are, their products are and why don’t you buy from us.

However, if your strategy is to lose customers this approach is perfect so keep doing what you are doing. And no I am not serious. Please stop doing this if you are guilty.

People want their problems solved, to be advised, to be entertained, to learn, to be inspired and make a connection with people and the companies that they feel are an extension of them and their personality.

It is called Social Media for a reason.

We are all taking our conversation online and so are your customers and prospects. We want companies to talk to us, to answer our problems, make us feel heard and offer us solutions and benefits. By listening and engaging with your audience you will not only strengthen your relationship but you will begin to learn very important information about those who are interacting with you. This will then allow you to make their experience and interaction with you and your company more meaningful, personal and memorable.

By listening and engaging with your audience you will not only strengthen your relationship but you will begin to learn very important information about those who are interacting with you. This will then allow you to make their experience and interaction with you and your company more meaningful, personal and memorable.

5 Start

So after a few espressos and shouting affirmations at yourself with the help of your motivational Podcast you set up the Facebook page, your Blog account, and Twitter profile all completed. Yes, you feel great and high five yourself. Good job.

However, a day goes by no activity or posts. OK, writer’s block, it happens to the best of us.

3 days go by still nothing posted. Darn, the power went down in the area so you could not power up the laptop, tablet or smartphone to send off a blog or a tweet. A week goes by, then a month, then 3 months and on and on it goes until the amount of tumble-weed in your office means you cannot now get to the laptop to do any posts. OK, I know that’s just silly but I hope it creates the desired visual effect for you.

OK, I know that’s just silly but I hope it creates the desired visual effect for you.

To be social on social media you have to be active. This leads me back to point 1 about time. If you choose to blog aim for 1 to 2 posts a week and then build it up. If Twitter is your choice of medium look to be tweeting 10 to 15 times a day at key times when your target audience and followers are are going to be there.

The most important thing is that just because you have a profile page set up it does not mean anything without you being there and sharing, engaging and communicating with your audience.

Social Media is a fantastic addition to any companies marketing and branding strategy. But like all communication mediums do your research first, prepare your strategy, find out what tools and channels best compliment your business to allow you engage, and most importantly be social and converse back with your customers and prospects.

Here is a great resource from one of the leading websites, Social Media Examiner, founded by Michael Stelzner for all things related to social media and gives you an excellent resource to start your journey

If you are looking to understand how to create a Digital Marketing Strategy you can get my free ebook by clicking the download buttonbelow without having to give any personal details. I want to give you the best information possible and if you like the content all I ask is that you please share with your community and tell people about the website.

The Curly Marketer is a Social Media Management consultancy managed by Phillip Twyford. Phillip has worked in marketing for over 20 years and brings together a unique skill set that encompasses many different disciplines.

The main business services that Phillip provides is to allow businesses outsource the management of their digital marketing and social media activity instead of trying to manage this internally with current staff.

The advantages to a client working with Phillip are time, cost and direct access to expertise. By working with Phillip a client works directly with him and benefits from his active mentoring and guidance.

Time for any business is very precious. By outsourcing Social Media Management to The Curly Marketer it allows a client gain a very important presence on Social Media without having to invest in staff internally or place an extra time burden on existing staff who are focussed on the core business activities of sales and customer service.

For more information contact Phillip on 087 284 1026 or email at philliptwyford@thecurlymarketer.com

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